Depay equals Van Persie record as the Netherlands hammer Malta

NETHERLANDS       8         

Depay 9 (p), 16; Van Dijk 20, Simons 60, Malen 74, 80; Lang 77, Van de Ven 90

MALTA                      0

NETHERLANDS

M. Flekken; D. Dumfries (79 l. Geertruida), S. De Vrij, V. Van Dijk, M. Van de Ven, R. Gravenberch (46 M. Wieffer), J. Kluivert (61 W. Weghorst), F. De Jong, X. Simons, M. Depay (73 D. Malen), C. Gakpo (46 N. Lang).

MALTA

H. Bonello; J. Corbalan (46 K. Shaw), G. Mentz, J. Carragher, R. Camenzuli (80 J. Azzopardi), M. Guillaumier, A. Satariano (80 M. Beerman), T. Teuma (60 J. Jones), A. Magri Overend (46,B. Tuma), P. Mbong, J. Mbong.

Referee: Ricardo de Burgos (Spanish FA).

Yellow cards: Teuma, Guillaumier, Lang.

A superior Netherlands side made light work of Malta in their second World Cup qualifier, delivering a ruthless 8-0 thrashing in Groningen.

As expected, Malta found the going tough against the group favourites and were three goals down within the opening 20 minutes.

This early blitz marked the second-fastest three-goal lead in the Dutch team’s history, setting the tone for what would become a dominant display. The result matches the Netherlands’ biggest-ever win over Malta – an identical 8-0 scoreline recorded in 1990 at Ta’ Qali.

Malta coach Emilio De Leo made several changes from the goalless draw with Lithuania. With Zach Muscat not making the trip, Gżira United’s Gabriel Mentz was handed his debut under De Leo, while Marsaxlokk’s Juan Corbalan, a second-half substitute last time out, was given a starting berth – likely to counter the Dutch’s wide threats.

Sliema Wanderers’ Adam Magri Overend was also introduced to assist in double marking and potentially exploit space behind the Dutch wingbacks.

Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman, taking charge of his 50^th match, also rotated his squad. Inter’s Stefan De Vrij earned his 75th cap, joined by Tottenham Hotspur’s Micky van de Ven, Justin Kluivert of Bournemouth, and Xavi Simons – linked with a return to Barcelona – all starting. Captain Virgil van Dijk led the team at the Euroborg Stadium, once his home during his early career at Groningen.

Before kick-off, the Dutch FA paid tribute to former coaches Leo Beenhakker and Nol de Ruiter. Beenhakker, who led the Netherlands in two separate spells including the 1990 World Cup, passed away earlier this year. De Ruiter, part of the coaching staff that helped the Dutch win the 1988 European Championship, was also remembered.

The Dutch wasted no time imposing themselves.

Justin Kluivert fired over within the first three minutes before earning a penalty shortly after when he was brought down by Corbalan. VAR reviewed the decision but upheld the original call, and Memphis Depay converted from the spot to open the scoring.

Depay, in search of his 50th international goal, went close with a curling shot before eventually netting again with a stunning long-range effort, drawing level with Robin van Persie at the top of the Netherlands’ all-time scoring chart.

Malta briefly threatened through Alexander Satariano, whose solo effort tested Mark Flekken – the newly signed Bayer Leverkusen goalkeeper. Captain Matthew Guillaumier also fired a tame effort straight at the Dutch shot-stopper.

Van Dijk added the third before the 20-minute mark, drilling home a low shot past Henry Bonello. The Netherlands’ slick, possession-based football pulled Malta’s defence out of shape, with Frenkie de Jong and De Vrij also going close before the break.

Bonello was called into action again to deny Denzel Dumfries late in the half, keeping the scoreline from ballooning further before the interval.

At the restart, Koeman introduced Mats Wieffer and Noa Lang for Ryan Gravenberch and Cody Gakpo. De Leo also made changes, bringing on Kurt Shaw for Corbalan and Basil Tuma—currently in talks to extend his stay at Reading – for Magri Overend.

Xavi Simons nearly extended the lead early in the second half with a close-range header before finally getting his goal on the hour mark, slotting past Bonello – 4-0.

Substitute Donyell Malen needed less than a minute to make his mark, capitalising on a cutback from Van de Ven to score the fifth. Camenzuli had a rare opportunity for Malta but dragged his shot wide.

Noa Lang then made it 6-0 from close range, and Malen completed his brace with a brilliant solo effort that showcased his pace and precision, having spent the second half of the club season at Aston Villa.

In stoppage time, Micky van de Ven capped off the night in style, latching onto a loose ball and hammering home a fierce volley to seal the eighth and final goal – matching the historic 8-0 victory recorded in Malta 35 years ago.

In the final minutes, De Leo handed a senior debut to Valletta’s Jake Azzopardi.

Malta will next face Lithuania away on September 4 in a crucial tie. They will welcome back Ilyas Chouaref from suspension, but will be without captain Guillaumier, who is ruled out through an automatic one-match ban after picking up a second yellow card in Groningen.